WWII Plane Hits Pole Near Pacoima Airport
A World War II-era training plane struck a utility pole and knocked off part of a wing on a landing approach to Whiteman Airport in Pacoima on Monday, then landed safely at Van Nuys Airport, authorities said.
About 10 homes were left without electricity after the plane struck the pole and snagged two power lines shortly after 7 p.m.
The pilot of the single-engine T-6, who was alone in the plane, was not injured, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Bill Thomas said.
The four-foot section of wing that fell into the intersection of Sutter Avenue and Van Nuys Boulevard caused no injuries, but drew a large crowd of onlookers, Thomas said.
David Flick, an investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the pilot landed at Van Nuys Airport because the facility is better equipped than Whiteman to handle emergency landings.
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